posted on August 20, 2004 10:49:29 PM
Well here is another " they don't read descriptions" for you.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8120001788
I posted an item complete with description, just as ALL of my descriptions read for my ceramic bisque items...
"This is an unpainted ceramic bisque ready to paint. It measures approximately 12½" tall x 11½" long. This piece will make a nice addition to your Christmas and Santa collection.
It has been freshly poured from #1348 Doc Holliday Mold.
Auction is for an unpainted, unglazed, bisque, and is ready to be painted to your desired tecnique.
All of our ceramic bisque is cleaned with care, with special attention given to replacing any lost detail during the cleaning process, and then fired.
Whenever possible - we post a picture if we have one - of item shown in it's 'finished state" to show an example only, of what the piece may look like when finished painting. This item is for fired, unpainted bisque. "
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I use this description (other than changing the specific item and #) for all of my ceramic bisque pieces.
Well I get paid right away through Paypal no problem there. I ship item right away via UPS to the address that is given to me from customer.
After a few days or so, I receive another charge on my Paypal account (I used them for payment of shipping this) for additional $5.00. Customer decided to have UPS change the delivery address to her work, which caused the extra $5.00 to be charged to ME for address change! No she never told me about it! So chuck the $5.00 up to another pain of selling.
Item is delivered Aug. 11.
Today I receive email from customer asking "where is my item"? Well..I go to UPS...see it was delivered to the second address, and signed for by someone there.
I email her and she says..."oh it must have gone to my work...I haven't been to work for awhile" I get another email..."Yes it was delivered"
"DAH...No Kidding?!"
Well now she says "I thought it was a Buckskin Horse. I don't know how to paint it. I don't know where to get the paint. Does it haveto be fired?"....I suppose now she will want a refund for being stupid and not reading my description!!
Sorry this is long message, I am just so peeved! This is the second time someone bid, paid, and then says they don't know how to paint. Only last time I was asked to paint the item, which I did for a reasonable extra charge, and then shipped item.
What do you all think about this? #1...can she reverse her payment from Paypal? #2...how would you handle this?
Anyway, thought you might get a kick out of hearing another "description " not being read story. And wish me luck on this one! I really try my best to describe my items so that there are no surprises. I am not perfect, but gosh this should be pretty clear!
Pattie
posted on August 20, 2004 11:54:19 PM
Weeeeeeeeelllllllllll...
Since ya asked...
I donna like the PAINTED PIC advertising an UNPAINTED item!
Can't ya show BOTH?
Or, are you using stock photos??
YES, you go to lengths to declaim all about yer bare bisque in da body, but that photo is sooooooo nice that folks will SKIM!!
I tink ye should go back to da drawing board!
“Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we! They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.” ~ GWBush White House 8/5/4
posted on August 21, 2004 12:22:07 AM
I agree. The picture catches and holds the eye.
If you are selling an unfinished item, then you should show a picture of that--at least in the most prominent placement, with perhaps a much smaller example of what it could look like when finished farther down the page (and clearly state thgat'swhat it is, an example).
____________________
"Bad temper is its own scourge. Few things are more bitter than to feel bitter. A man's venom poisons himself more than his victim." --Charles Buxton
posted on August 21, 2004 12:25:56 AM
I find it hard to believe that an Ebay bidder would not read and comprehend the description before bidding. If there is any misunderstanding, it must be the sellers fault. The proper thing to do in this situation is to refund all the bidders money, including shipping, and let them keep the item gratis. I would also send them a certificate entitlening them to one months worth of house cleaning from Merry Maids. Possibly a gift certificate for 2 free meals at Red Lobster would be nice also. Then again you could offer to sell them your kid's watercolor set or crayolas for $4.99 + $15.00 shipping and handeling
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on August 21, 2004 12:41:20 AM
Sorry, but I have to agree with Tom. I think you should show it in unpainted bisque first.
Then further down show your painted example.
It would even help to have the word "example"
on the painted ceramic picture.
I do think using painted examples are a good marketing idea, but again, show the unpainted bisque first.
The way the auction is set up you are not really showing what your selling.
posted on August 21, 2004 01:23:55 AM
Well I sure opened a can of worms on this one I guess. I did check on the other sellers bisque auctions before I began selling these items. Many of them post the item with a picture of such in the finished, painted form. Many do not even state that the picture is an example only of the finished product. I did belive that I was making it clear that the item is unpainted as I do state " Whenever possible - we post a picture if we have one - of item shown in it's 'finished state" to show an example only, of what the piece may look like when finished painting. This item is for fired, unpainted bisque."
I do believe that if a person paints ceramic pieces, that person knows what "unpainted bisque" means. If a person knows nothing about ceramic bisque, then yes, they may not understand this.
My auctions for ceramic bisque are for those that are looking to buy these pieces, and paint them theirselves.
My issue is people in general, that do not read the descriptions! I do not put anything in "fine print" so that if the description was read, it should be fairly plain as to what is for sale.
However....I will give it some thought as to adding photos of both unpainted, and painted items. And will consider working on the description. I do believe if you paint ceramics that you do know what you are getting, however maybe it is not too clear to someone that doesn't know beans about painting ceramic bisque.
Now to get back to part of my question...what about a bidder telling UPS to change the delivery address, and charging the seller for it? I mean that cost me $5.00. Now maybe that is not much for you powersellers, but it is to me. I charge almost to the penny, exact shipping without any handling fee. Why should I pay out of my own pocket for shipping? I charge a opening bid after comparing most other sellers of this type of item, and much lower than the average opening bid many times. I ship via the least expensive method according to weight, sometimes USPS and usually 4 lbs and over via UPS. So I think that is more than fair.
Have any of you been charged extra for the bidder to change their address after the item has been shipped and on it's way? There was nothing wrong with the address as it was. The bidder just decided it would be a good idea AFTER the item was shipped?
YOU DO NOT SHOW AN UNPAINTED IMAGE...and this should tell you something, considering that you then use the "UN" words five or six times...to no avail -according to you at least on 2 occasions...
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there is little we sellers can do to get correct/full readership...i have auction running; have had 3 people email wanting to know how much track comes with the set...the last statement in the auction IS: "there is no track in this set-sorry."
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Re: reversing Paypal..bidder can, at least, file for chargeback...in shipping to the original address you were given, was it a confirmed address? my point is: they[paypal] cant allow c/back on this, if you followed the confirmed address instructions -or can they???
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RE: $5.00 extra charge on your account..the key words are "on your account." UPS's disclaimer on website gives them the right to c/back extra charges to your account..i dropped my account with them because of this..last november, they charged my account $4.76[i went and looked it up] for delivering to a remote address...
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now, i realize volume shippers with daily pickup usually require this convenience..i dont, which makes it easy for me to say "no more" this stuff, and just write a check every time they pickup...
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you didnt open up a can of worms, just told of a different slant on an ill feature of selling...
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you also said: "I do believe that if a person paints ceramic pieces, that person knows what "unpainted bisque" means."
wellllllll, your rationale is correct of course, that is why we all type and type and type - trying to get it right!! again, to no avail...not a damn thing you can do about it...except keep on doing what you doing - and try to always improve...[HOW ABOUT DEM HI AND LOFTY WORDS!]
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myoldtoy
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[ edited by myoldtoy on Aug 21, 2004 05:48 AM ]
[ edited by myoldtoy on Aug 21, 2004 05:49 AM ]
posted on August 21, 2004 07:41:06 AM
People generally do not use category search (ready-to-paint in this case). They search on a text string.
The title: American Santa on Quarter Horse_12"tall_Ceramic bisque
So I'm a quarterhorse afficionado and I'm looking for everything that comes up when I search on "quarter horse" or "quarterhorse". Hey, this Santa thing is pretty cool! And the horse coloration looks a lot like my buckskin mare! Think I'll bid on it. Christmas'll be here before you know it.
Imagine my surprise when I get a totally white ceramic piece.
Your auctions are misleading. Perhaps you don't mean them to be, but I don't get it: It's not like you're selling one-offs. These are items made from molds, which means presumably over time you are selling multiples. Is it that hard to have one painted image and one unpainted image of each example?
Yes, UPS bills the *shipper* when there's an en route change of delivery address. An excellent reason not to use UPS or any of the other private courier services, all of whom also have various unpleasant 'gotcha' hidden fees.
--
[ edited by iareateacher on Aug 21, 2004 07:57 AM ]
posted on August 21, 2004 07:58:19 AM
aroundtheworld:
once again, i will say it: you cant get across to everybody...
"Imagine my surprise when I get a totally white ceramic piece.
Your auctions are misleading. And reading your protestations I'm not sure it isn't a little bit deliberate."
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..i wont argue the point/advice that you should show an unpainted image - or as you state - no image at all. THIS WOULD BE IN YOUR BEST INTEREST..
..ON THE OTHER HAND, for someone to accuse you of being dishonest in your deliberation is a crock.. rest well assured, even with poor eyesight, as i have, i certainly and easily see the "un's" and the underlines..and would have seen them, without prompting...so, in case you are, DONT SWEAT THE POST...
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myoldtoy
posted on August 21, 2004 08:04:48 AM
may be you should use bold letters at the beginning of paragraph like YOU ARE BIDDING ON AN UNPAINTED PIECE OF CERAMIC.
If you can only show one picture,show the unpainted version,not the painted one.
Can she complain to paypal and ask payment to be reversed??
Paypal does not handle item not as described issue (unless it is an installment payment and the item is severely not as described),so her complaint would just go on record and paypal would do nothing.
But if she files chargeback with her credit card company,and if you lose,there is a 10 dollars chargeback fee paypal will tack on to your refund.
If you think she will file chargeback,then why dont you just ask her to return the item and you will refund her the payment less shipping ,less that 5 dollars.
-sig file -------we eat to live,not live to eat.
Benjamin Franklin
posted on August 21, 2004 09:26:38 AM
I was *just* going to post the very same suggestion Stopwhining just gave you. All caps at the TOP OF THE DESCRIPTION. And maybe in the middle, too.
___________________________________
"Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. You can see
that when you think how the friends that really listen to us are the ones we move
toward, and we want to sit in their radius as though it did us good, like
ultraviolet rays.
"Our communication skills improve when we can open to be aware of the needs of
the other person. When we listen, we can release the filters that serve our
own needs for security and receive the message with our compassionate heart.
And when we speak, we can choose words that the listener is able to receive.
True communication happens when we harmonize with the other individual."
-- Brenda Ueland
posted on August 21, 2004 09:29:42 AM
myowntoy: Care to go back and re-read my post? Wanna use that tiny little Edit button yourself?
I still think the OP is trying to justify her picture practices by protesting that the other sellers of similar items do the same thing:
I did check on the other sellers bisque auctions before I began selling these items. Many of them post the item with a picture of such in the finished, painted form. Many do not even state that the picture is an example only of the finished product.
If that isn't an attempt to justify it, I don't know what is.
I think (and this is speculation) the OP is dismayed at the end prices her unpainted bisques are getting -- there can't be a lot of margin there -- and may feel that she needs to resort to a teensy bit of picture...um, manipulation ( if you don't like the word "deception" ) to do even that well.
--
[ edited by iareateacher on Aug 21, 2004 09:30 AM ]
posted on August 21, 2004 09:39:50 AM
A thought occurs.
Actually, the OP may be marketing these pieces all wrong. The "unpaintedness" is a good thing if you follow the example I used above, that of a quarterhorse owner looking for QH items.
Have one BIG picture of the piece unpainted, then 3 SMALL pictures of it painted with different horse colorations: Palomino, bay, chestnut, Appaloosa, etc. List it where a horse fancier can find it. Mention that you'll include extremely easy-to-follow directions for painting the mold so they can make the horse like their own.
posted on August 22, 2004 07:13:09 PM
I have to agree with JWPC. People don't read. Most of my questions are for measurements that are stated in ALL of my auctions. I just got one yesterday "Could you tell me the inseam measurement?" HELLO! It's right in front of your face! But, of course, I answer politely and wait for the bid. I would make sure to bold and capitalize the UN-PAINTED bisque.
posted on August 23, 2004 08:38:46 AM
I am selling a miniature in an online shop that is the perfect scale for a doll house. I wanted to show how it would look with some accessories I made for it in my doll house. I included the item on the card as the first picture then put a picture of mine with bold type added across it in Photoshop. "For Illustration Accessories not included" or words to that effect. I have found that people do not always read the description in online shops either so I will send an email that describes what they get with the item before I accept a sale.
I strongly suggest that text like that across you painted example would help.
-----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
posted on August 23, 2004 08:45:03 AM
myoldtoy: Still waiting for you to remove your comments referenced above, where you continue to deliberately misquote me.
I don't expect an apology -- that would be asking too much of your old toy -- but a little intellectual honesty would be refreshing.
posted on August 23, 2004 08:51:34 AM
I'm smiling out here in California. Just five minutes ago I got not one but two identical e-mail messages from a buyer: How much is shipping (for a huge cookbook I said in the description weighs 7 pounds and will go media mail)--and she included a shipping calculator -- for ME to look up the shipping!!!!
___________________________________
"Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. You can see
that when you think how the friends that really listen to us are the ones we move
toward, and we want to sit in their radius as though it did us good, like
ultraviolet rays.
"Our communication skills improve when we can open to be aware of the needs of
the other person. When we listen, we can release the filters that serve our
own needs for security and receive the message with our compassionate heart.
And when we speak, we can choose words that the listener is able to receive.
True communication happens when we harmonize with the other individual."
-- Brenda Ueland
posted on August 23, 2004 09:07:19 AM
I don't think they even read the title. A couple of weeks ago I had a book for sale, title was "Brother machine knitting book etc" I get a question from a buyer "Is this a Brother machine knitting book?" I would have loved to reply with a smart comment, but I decided I would rather have a bid!!
“Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we! They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.” ~ GWBush White House 8/5/4
posted on August 23, 2004 05:09:38 PM
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
dear iareateacher:
i was gonna leave your post alone until i read on another post that you said:
"The sheer amount of misinformation posted here daily is enough to clog the sewer drains of a small town"
--------------------------------------------
SO IN THE INTEREST OF FULL AND ACCURATE DISCLOSURE, here is a review of your postings--all copy/pasted..
--------------------------------------------
on this[aroundtheworldteasures's] post you said:
"myowntoy: Care to go back and re-read my post? Wanna use that tiny little Edit button yourself?"
I did re-read your post...and still would not have replied, except that you just made the "sewer drains" remark.
-----------------------------------------
so, now for your "re-read my post." here are your words [[ ALL ARE YOUR WORDS]] per your post to aroundtheworldtreasures...
"Your auctions are misleading. Perhaps you don't mean them to be,"[edited @ 7:57am]
WHAT YOU DIDNT KNOW, or evidently expect, is that i had copy/pasted your ORIGINAL statement, in which you said:::
"Your auctions are misleading. And reading your protestations I'm not sure it isn't a little bit deliberate." [you posted THIS @ 7:41am]]
AT 7:58am, i pasted this [your] original statement into the thread to aroundtheworld:
"Your auctions are misleading. And reading your protestations I'm not sure it isn't a little bit deliberate."
---------------------------
When i read your post[original one at 7:41am] I just happened to have disagreed with the "protestations/deliberate" part of your post.... that alone caused me to c/paste it to hold for a minute-then i saw your edited post that came up at 7:57am...
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and, as for:
"Still waiting for you to remove your comments referenced above, where you continue to deliberately misquote me."
PLEASE do not hold your breath...
--------------------------------------------
in closing, as i said, i probably would not have replied...but you, in your in your enormous vanity, you couldnt leave it alone...myopinionofcourse!!
posted on August 23, 2004 08:25:19 PM
IareaFluffy: We are WATCHing you, honey.
___________________________________
"Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. You can see
that when you think how the friends that really listen to us are the ones we move
toward, and we want to sit in their radius as though it did us good, like
ultraviolet rays.
"Our communication skills improve when we can open to be aware of the needs of
the other person. When we listen, we can release the filters that serve our
own needs for security and receive the message with our compassionate heart.
And when we speak, we can choose words that the listener is able to receive.
True communication happens when we harmonize with the other individual."
-- Brenda Ueland
